Soy supplements and products, made from soybeans, are used as a dietary protein source and can have health benefits such as lowering cholesterol levels and relieving menopause symptoms. However, they can also cause side effects and interact with prescription medications.
Soy supplements are nutritional products that are made from substances found in soybeans, such as soy protein. The soybean is a plant native to the southeastern part of Asia, and soybeans are grown commercially in many parts of the world. Soy protein is a powdered form of soy that is commonly found in soy supplements and is used by many people as a dietary protein source. Isoflavones are substances in soybeans that generally change to phytoestrogens after they enter the body. Phytoestrogens are similar to the human hormone estrogen and can have similar effects on the body as estrogen.
Many foods contain soy protein from soy supplements. Soy protein includes all of the essential amino acids that people typically need from protein sources in most cases. People eat many foods made from soy for their protein content, including tofu, soy veggie burgers, and soy energy bars. Soy milk, soy ice cream, and soy cheese are other food products that contain soy supplements.
Some people use soy supplements, soy foods, and soy products to improve their health. Soy protein can lower cholesterol levels in people with high levels of bad cholesterol in their blood. In some cases, the cholesterol-lowering effects of soy can contribute to improving cardiovascular health. Babies with diarrhea or lactose intolerance may experience some relief from these conditions with the help of soy protein. Soy protein has helped lower blood glucose levels in some diabetics.
Many women have used soy and soy products to relieve hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause. Osteoporosis in some postmenopausal women may be improved by taking isoflavone-containing soy supplements. Soy consumption early in life decreases a woman’s chance of developing breast cancer in some cases. Soy phytoestrogens can prevent migraines from occurring during menstruation.
Soy supplements can cause side effects in some people who are allergic to soy. People with soy allergies may experience an allergic reaction after eating soy foods that may include a runny nose or drop in blood pressure. Some people experience gastrointestinal effects from consuming soy protein, such as constipation, nausea, and bloating. People with hypothyroidism may experience worsening of the condition from consuming soy products. The estrogenic effect of isoflavones in soy products may increase tumor growth in some patients who have hormone-sensitive cancers such as uterine, ovarian, or breast cancer.
In some cases, soy supplements can interfere with prescription medications and cause unwanted interactions. Estrogen pills may become less effective in some women if these pills are taken with large amounts of soy. Soy can reduce the blood-thinning effects of the drug warfarin and increase the risk of blood clots. Many patients taking prescription drugs can benefit from a discussion with a doctor about possible interactions between soy and the drugs they take.
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